A Very Covid Christmas - Making The Most Of This Different Holiday Season

Hello and welcome back to another episode of the Wild Freewell podcast.

I'm super excited to be connecting with you today because I have a very exciting topic to talk about,

I think,

At least.

At least it's timely,

Let's put it that way.

Today we are talking about a very COVID Christmas,

Making the season merry and bright,

Despite the fact that it's going to look a little different this year.

So there's not a lot of preamble.

We've all been living in 2020.

We know what it's like.

We know that there's restrictions.

People living in Europe are under lockdown.

I know that some of my friends and family are going into lockdown in Canada as well.

And it's just getting kind of intense.

And I know that it can be a lot to deal with when we think about how Christmas will look this year.

And so I really wanted to come on and give a positive spin to things as much as we can.

Is it going to be easy?

Not necessarily,

No.

But as always,

We are in charge of how we react to things.

We do have a certain amount of power over the situation.

And that's kind of where I want to come in.

I just want to encourage you to do as much as you can to make yourself feel good this season.

And I have a boatload,

And I mean it,

A boatload of ideas for you.

So let's get right to it.

No wasting time.

Chippity-chop right into this holiday season.

So one of my first tips is to focus on the good.

I think that we need that now more than ever.

And the best gift that you can give yourself this season is to try and find the bright side.

Is it going to be the same level that it normally is?

Maybe not,

But it's still worthwhile to give it a try.

So I want you to take a second,

If you can,

If you're already knee-deep in this,

Or if you need to come back to it later when you are knee-deep in it,

And ask yourself what is already good about this holiday season?

What is happening right now that is awesome,

That's working,

That's going great?

What's working in your favour,

Or what's happened exactly how you hoped it would happen?

This is always a really good place to start in any case when you're looking for the positives.

Basically,

What do you have to be grateful for right now,

This holiday season?

So I know that despite the fact that I'm going to be far away from family,

I'm really grateful that my family,

Everyone I know,

Is healthy and happy,

And that just brings me a massive amount of joy.

Do I wish I was with them?

Yeah,

But I mean,

This is what it is.

So to make the best of it,

I'm going to be grateful that everyone I know is happy and safe,

And hopefully enjoying their Christmas season as well.

So the other side of that is,

If there's something that keeps coming up,

So as you're trying to think of something good about the holiday season,

If something keeps coming up that you're saying,

Well,

But there's that,

Oh,

But that thing's really bothering me,

Think about what can you do to make that particular situation or event,

Or whatever it might be,

Good or better.

So how can you flip it?

How can you change it?

What could you do to infuse that particular challenge with a little bit more positivity?

So the next kind of section I want to talk about is assessing where your influence lies.

So I really want you to take a second and focus on the entire holiday season,

And ask yourself,

What do I have control over?

So for example,

We might not have control over who we can spend time with or when,

We might be far away from our families,

But there are still a lot of things,

Maybe small things that are in our control.

So let's try and find a way to make the most of those.

So maybe this is the year that you make a dish that you've always wanted to make,

That you haven't had time to make in the past,

Or that there was too many people bringing food,

So you didn't need to make another dish,

But this year is the year that you get to try this new recipe.

And maybe this isn't as possible,

But maybe this Christmas could be better simply because you can't spend it with family.

I know that's maybe kind of harsh,

But there may be a benefit for some people to be away from that kind of environment.

Maybe it's an environment of judgment,

Or maybe there's an intrusive family member who tends to hurt your feelings,

Or leave you feeling a little bit small.

This space,

This distance could turn out to be a blessing.

Now I know that that's really trying hard to make lemonade out of lemons,

But we've got to work with what we've got this year,

People,

And this is what we've got.

So yeah,

The next thing I would say is to embrace nostalgia.

So this totally falls under your circle of influence.

Think about something that made it feel like Christmas for you as a child,

And gift yourself that.

Whatever it is.

So when we're talking about nostalgia,

We really want to stay focused on feeling.

So think about things that you ate,

That you smelled,

That you touched or saw at Christmas time,

And try to include those in your holiday traditions this year.

Maybe this is something that you already do,

But just in case you needed that reminder,

When we're feeling scared or uncomfortable,

We tend to search for something in the past.

So the best thing that you can do is look for something really positive,

Really hopeful,

Uplifting about your past,

Particularly about the holiday season,

And try to incorporate that again,

Because it's going to give you that sensation of coziness and home and safety and comfort and certainty,

All of these things that maybe we have a little bit less of this season.

On the other side of that is the option to start new traditions.

So what have you always wanted to do,

But haven't had the chance to do for one reason or another?

There's a good chance that we'll be spending a bit more time at home this year,

So perhaps you'll have more time to finally implement that.

So maybe you could bake cookies for Santa on the 24th,

Or just bake cookies for friends and family and colleagues.

One thing that I've always wanted to do is new Christmas jammies for Christmas Eve or for Christmas morning.

That is on my to-do list for sure for this year.

Take a cheesy Christmas photo to post online or to send to family and friends.

Maybe make a donation to a worthy cause instead of buying presents for distant relatives or friends.

So not being able to see people this season is obviously heartbreaking,

But potentially there could be a financial bonus where you're spending a little bit less money on travel or on presents.

Maybe you could take some of what you've saved and either,

I mean of course keep it in savings,

Always a good plan,

Or make a small donation to your favorite charity.

You could also open a present on Christmas Eve just to get the magic started earlier.

This is a tradition that I implemented with my family when I was a kid and I always loved it.

It just really felt exciting to prolong that feeling.

And another thing that you can do is if,

Depending on where you live in the world,

There is a charity that I am especially in love with and that I participate in whenever I'm living in Canada,

Which is Operation Christmas Child.

And Operation Christmas Child is actually something that I started doing while I was in elementary school.

And basically what it is,

Is you fill a shoebox with different basic needs.

So it can be like socks,

Underwear,

Underclothes,

Pencils,

Notebooks,

And then small toys.

And they send these to children in the developing world who don't really have anything coming to them for Christmas or who need supplies for school as well.

If I remember correctly,

The charity itself is called Samaritan's Purse.

But if you look up Operation Christmas Child,

You can find this.

And I know that it's available in,

I'm pretty sure in the UK,

In Canada and the States for sure.

And I know that there's a few other countries in Europe that participate.

So if that sounds like something that you'd like to do,

And I can assure you it's so fulfilling,

So rewarding,

Then I would really recommend that.

And if not,

Operation Christmas Child,

Maybe there's another charity that you could get involved with,

That you could donate time or volunteer to and make that a new part of your family's tradition.

So I want to kind of flip gears here for a second and start talking about help.

So the Christmas season is all about giving.

That's one of the main focuses.

It's not about,

I mean,

Okay,

It's a little bit become about getting,

Receiving,

Giving presents,

Et cetera.

But it's really about how we can love and support one another and what we can do for our neighbour and our family and friends.

And one of the things I think would be really helpful for all of us to focus on this season is asking ourselves how we can help someone else.

So is it possible for you to be maybe someone's supports person?

Maybe you could reach out to someone who might otherwise be alone during the holidays and have like a phone chat with them or just find a way to like lessen the load,

Especially given the current climate that we're in,

Of course.

It makes everything more challenging.

So perhaps reaching out could be a great way to interact with someone,

Maybe even someone new,

And learn something about your neighbours or the people that are around you.

Anyways,

I just thought that that would be a really,

Really nice idea.

Another idea is to become a part of someone's support circle.

So we know that there's a lot of people in particular that are suffering from mental health issues because of the various lockdowns and the restrictions for COVID.

We also know that there is a lot of instances of like mistreatment and abuse that are happening now that people are at home a lot more.

And so maybe there's a way to form a support circle or to reach out to someone that you know might be suffering and offer a helping hand.

Another way that we could help someone is to add a little bit of joy and happiness to their life.

And I have here a fun list of ways that we can do that.

So some fun socially distance ideas are have an online FaceTime,

Skype,

Zoom date with someone that you know,

With your friends,

Family or otherwise.

Start a Christmas themed book club.

I will just say that I read a Christmas like romance sort of novel by Karen Swan last year called Under the Stars,

I believe.

And it was fantastic.

Now I'm open to the judgment.

I'm fine.

I got big shoulders and I can carry it.

But I loved it.

And I have decided that Karen Swan books now her Christmas ones in particular are going to be a part of my regular Christmas routine.

So that could be a lot of fun to choose whatever book it might be.

Maybe you read,

You know,

A Christmas Carol or anything like that.

But you do it as a group,

Something that keeps you and the people closest to you social and engaged,

Because we know that that's something that we're all missing out on right now.

You could watch a movie together online.

There are apps for this.

I do not know them and I have not yet done this,

But it is an interesting idea.

And I do know people who have and they really enjoy it.

So that could be a lot of fun to watch a movie together.

Do a secret Santa and mail each other gifts.

I'm sorry.

Best idea ever.

Because who doesn't love receiving mail and presents?

And then when you combine the two,

Like that's like basically the holy grail of everything.

So,

Yeah,

I would have loved to have done a secret Santa this year,

But unfortunately I did not make it in time.

But yeah,

That would be an amazing way to spread,

Share and receive joy this holiday season.

So what about sending the Christmas cards that you always mean to send and yet never do?

I am guilty of this,

Super guilty of it.

Something that my friends and I are going to be doing is actually a Christmas photo challenge.

So basically we are going to see who can create the best family photo.

And by best,

I mean the worst,

Really.

So I mean the ugliest,

The strangest,

The weirdest,

The most complex,

The most the funniest,

Whatever.

That's something that we're all going to be doing because we know that we're going to be spending a lot more time apart and that we won't be able to see each other in person likely like we normally do for our big Christmas dinner.

And then the last one.

I think that this is something that is not specific to the holiday season and that we could all incorporate a little bit more often.

But do a small act of kindness for someone else.

So the most popular example of this is paying for an extra coffee when you go to your local cafe.

It just creates a beautiful ripple effect throughout your city as people are blessed with a little surprise and never underestimate the fact that you as one person can have on the world around you,

On the people around you,

On your community and on the world at large,

Really.

So,

Yeah,

Just think of something nice that you could potentially do for someone and maybe try and think outside of your circle.

So maybe not family and friends,

Although that's beautiful too,

Of course,

But maybe a way that you could impact a stranger in a positive way.

I know that we all need that right now.

I think that as you're listening to this,

You can probably feel that in yourself that you could use a little extra joy,

A little extra love,

A little extra squeeze this year.

And that feeling is just,

You know,

It's priceless.

So if we could give that to somebody else,

What a gift that would be even for us.

And so the last bit of this is basically how we can help ourselves.

So what can we do to ensure that we are showing up for this holiday season to the best of our possible ability,

Feeling awesome and just continuing on that way and being able to show up and do nice things for other people.

So one of the things I tell you guys all the time,

And I'm going to reiterate for the millionth time just in case,

Is to check in with yourself.

So literally,

What do you need right now?

And whatever it is,

Give yourself that.

And it might be weird and it might sound stupid or it might sound strange or,

You know,

Totally out of the box,

But do it.

Follow that because that guidance is just it is priceless as well.

You are being guided by your higher self.

It's your intuition speaking to you.

So really try to give yourself that,

Whatever it might be.

And if you're struggling to try and brainstorm ways,

How can I give that to myself?

So whatever it might be,

Five minutes alone,

A coffee,

A shower,

A walk,

A stretch,

Whatever,

A deeper breath,

Like whatever it might be.

Maybe it's a present.

I also like to buy myself presents.

I'm not going to lie.

And if that's something that you're able to do,

Then potentially it's that.

Why not?

Right?

Like we all deserve to feel loved and taken care of and maybe more so this holiday season than ever.

The next tip is to eat as healthy,

Healthily,

Wow,

Mouthful as you can,

Given the holiday season.

So we really want to keep in mind that we all know that it is the season to overeat.

So we often eat too much or we eat a lot.

And and it's normal,

Unfortunately,

I guess,

Because realistically speaking,

It's a bit of a cultural deficit that we have that.

But that's fine.

We know that it's probably going to happen.

In any case,

We often indulge.

People bring baked goods.

We gift baked goods as well.

And that's all really nice.

And it's all part of the positivity of the holiday season.

So one of the ways that you can ensure that you're eating a little bit healthier is just to make sure you're drinking the right amount of water for your body.

When we're well hydrated,

We're way less likely to binge and we're not able to overeat because your stomach is already full of water.

And it's so good for your hair,

Your nails,

Your skin.

I mean,

Talk about glowing from the inside out.

So one of the things that you can do for your health this season is to make sure that you're tracking that.

Download an app on your phone.

There's seven million.

Almost all of them are free.

And yeah,

It really makes a huge difference for just in terms of being able to know what's going on with your body.

Are you drinking the right amount for your weight?

And then just an extra way to take care of yourself when we know we're also likely to overindulge,

Which is fine.

It's fine.

Right.

So next one,

Get outside and walk in nature as much as possible based on your current situation.

We know that some people are in lockdown.

Some of the lockdowns are stricter than others.

But almost everybody has changed their tone from when we were from where we were in March to allow us all to go outside and exercise.

So get outside and do it.

Walk in nature if you can.

Just move your body.

Moving your body helps bring clarity in your life.

But so does just breathing in fresh air.

And,

You know,

Especially in the winter when we're in our houses and it's cold outside and we don't really open the windows as often,

The air can become quite stale and it's just really unhealthy for you.

So really try and get out and like just like as a little refresher,

You know,

In the middle of your day,

Just bring some new energy to your day and to your body and just watch as things unfold in like new and interesting ways.

So reach out to family and friends and shower them with love.

Yay.

That's a nice one.

We always receive the same when we give something like this.

So we receive the same,

If not more benefits from loving as when we're loved.

So just give.

Just give.

Be kind and compassionate and the beautiful human that you already are and give as much of yourself as you possibly can.

OK.

Try also to be kind to yourself in your words and your actions.

So give yourself credit for all that you're accomplishing given this situation.

If you've implemented any of the things that I've said already,

You're winning.

You're one step ahead.

And if you're taking care of yourself,

Even more so than.

That is absolutely.

It's huge,

Right?

There is nothing more important when we're in a difficult situation than to speak to ourselves with loving kindness.

We deserve that.

We really,

Really do.

And the last one here I have is actually something I kind of already said,

But to treat yourself.

So,

Yeah,

It's totally cliche.

And Christmas is,

You know,

In our modern modern capitalist society has irrevocably become associated with presents.

But you definitely deserve one,

Maybe more than anybody,

Just for showing up and just for being a good person and for,

You know,

Keeping on human being a human in this difficult moment.

So do something nice for yourself,

Maybe by buying yourself something that you've wanted for a long time instead of waiting for someone else or Santa to get it for you.

You know,

You're totally worth it.

And when you treat yourself like you are,

You give other people permission to treat you like you are as well.

And you show other people what's possible when they take care of themselves as well.

So I hope that this episode,

While long but quick at the same time,

I think was really useful to you.

I know that we're probably not really thrilled about the way things are going and we're all looking for a way out of this as soon as possible.

But the best thing that we can do for ourselves right now is to focus on what's good about our situation.

You deserve that and the world needs it right now.

There is enough negativity and hate being circulated at this moment.

If you manage to be one of the pieces of the puzzle that is not giving into that and that is choosing to see the bright side and that is choosing to be as optimistic as possible,

You're already ahead of the game and your energy is having such a positive impact on the world.

So really try to take care of yourself,

To love yourself and to spread that love and care as far and wide as you possibly can,

Given your means and your ability.

Okay,

Be your own community Santa Claus and just spread joy everywhere.

You know,

There's a quote or a meme online that we see sometimes and it's like,

Kindness is free,

Sprinkle that shit like confetti.

And that would be my number one piece of advice.

Start with yourself and then spread out words as far as you possibly can because we all need a huge injection of the festive spirit this year.

I am wishing you the happiest of holidays and I am sending you so,

So much love.

I really hope this resonates with you.

If you have any questions or you want to talk to me about anything that I said or anything else,

Or if you'd like to hear about what coaching with me is like,

You can get in contact with me on my website,

Which is www.

Candicealacia.

Com or you can find me on Instagram at Candice Alacia or on Facebook at Candice Alacia Coaching and that's C A N D I C E A L E S S I A.

I hope this resonates and I hope you have an amazing day and we will be back together soon.

Take care.